Circular Arrays in Blender (Quick Tutorial)

Sina Sinaie
Sina Sinaie
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Published 2021-08-08
This short tutorial teaches a simple way to add circular (or radial) arrays to 3D models in Blender. This is a beginners tutorial that uses array and boolean modifiers (along with empty) to create circular (radial) arrays in Blender 3D. No addons are required. I use a 3d model of a gear (cog) for this quick tutorial. Using radial arrays (and other types of arrays) is an easy way to add detail to 3d models in Blender and are frequently used in hardsurface modeling and industrial design. You can even combine these arrays with boolean modifiers to create radial cutouts in your 3d models.

Arrays are commonly used as a non destructive modifier in Blender. A non destructive workflow retains the geometry of the core 3d model and adds levels of detail using modifiers. This makes it easier to optimize the 3d model later, to be used as a game asset or for 3D printing. In Blender 3D, these modifiers are primarily: array, boolean, solidify, bevel, subdivision and lattice.

#blender #array #tutorial #beginner #3d #modeling #radial #boolean
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- In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to create radial arrays without using any addons.
- First, create the object, then, move it to the center of the array.
- Next, in edit mode, select all vertices, and move them away from the center of the array.
- Now, add an empty to the scene, and move the empty to the center of the array.
- Now, add an array modifier to the object, and select the option "Object Offset" with the empty object as the target.
- Then, rotate the empty object around the z axis, and increase the "Count" on the array modifier to complete the radial array.
- As you add details, make sure the base point of the object remains at the center of the array. So it's necessary that translations, rotations and scaling is done in edit mode.
- Finally, you can always change the density of the array, by changing the rotation of the empty and the array count.
All Comments (10)
  • @sinasinaie
    Thanks for watching. Let me know if you have any suggestions for future tutorials.
  • @dimitrilalushi4693
    Today I came across this channel. Very straightforward, easily understandable tutorials. Thanks for offering them.
  • @TheOOFster
    A fix for this is before you rotate the plain axis select the plain axis and scale it down so that your object that's being duplicated in the array is the same size in scale as the original object. After that you can then rotate it and it should work just as it should
  • @zapador
    Very well made tutorial. Thank you!
  • @abhiraaid
    That was the best explanation on arrays. Thanks man
  • @mangachasers
    I think I followed everything accordingly but my object became smaller and under the other one not around, Its hard to explain without image, but I need help.
  • @humansrants1694
    I get massive cubes everywhere I think the latest Blender broke it.
  • @cookingwithwoodspoon2304
    You obviously skipped something, like a snapping setting or something when moving your cylinder at the beginning. After creating array modifier when I rotate the empty the cylinder doesn't rotate with it. Again you obviously missed explaining something.